Recordpub.com - Around Rootstown

Memorial Day, May 26, in Rootstown always finds many events that offer community residents the opportunity to remember loved ones and commemorate the holiday with dignity and respect.

The Rootstown Lions Club annual Memorial Day parade steps off at 10 a.m. with units making their way along Tallmadge Road east from Marks Avenue through Rootstown center to Homeland Cemetery.

Following the parade and the program at Homeland Cemetery, members of the First Congregational Church of Rootstown, United Church of Christ invite everyone to enjoy the annual chicken and biscuits lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The menu also includes mashed potatoes, green beans, coleslaw, applesauce, dessert and beverage.

Dinner is available at $8 for adults and $4 for children ages 6 to 12.

Carry-outs are available.

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Interested in sprucing up your car for the Memorial Day events?

The Youth Fellowship of the First Congregational Church of Rootstown, United Church of Christ will wash cars on Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. in the church parking lot.

Members of the youth group will be accepting donations.

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Participants in the first Hershey Running Camp held in Rootstown in 2007 had a fun experience as high school track members helped youths compete while learning techniques.

Organized by Tracey Colecchi, the Hershey Track and Field meet and youth Track Camp will again be held at the Rootstown Local Schools stadium June 8 through 14.

For more information and registration form, call Colecchi at (330) 296-7244.

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Alumni from the Rootstown High School class of 1988 are looking forward to their 20-year reunion that will be held June 28 from 6 p.m. to midnight at Sunny Hill Golf Course in Brimfield.

Class members also will enjoy a tour of the high school on June 29 with members of their families as well as attend an Akron Aeros game.

Classmates not yet contacted or alumni interested in receiving additional information, may contact Shannon Eldreth at (330) 628-5494.

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With only a few weeks left in the school year, community members may want to attend concerts and meetings planned by the music department.

Members of the Rootstown Music Booster Club will meet tonight at 7 in the high school music room and welcome new officers: Melanie Bell, president; Cindy Terry, vice president; Dawn Blake, secretary; and Maureen Kapusta, treasurer.

Booster club members are looking forward to the new school year when it begins in the fall thanks to the donation of a new microwave to replace one of the units stolen earlier this year.

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Filling the month of May with music, the middle school choir Spring Concert will be held Wednesday, the elementary Spring Concert is scheduled for May 20 and the high school Choir Concert will take over the gymnasium on May 22.

The Chamber Choir will perform in the Memorial Garden during morning ceremonies on May 24 at Rootstown High School.

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The Rootstown Middle School concerts give everyone the opportunity to enjoy the performances by students who earned honors at the recent Solo and Ensemble contest.

Earning the highest marks, a one, at solo and ensemble contest were Jacob Riley, Jacob Ress, Ryan Kerin and Brianna Moore for their trumpet solos.

Jacob Riley and Jacob Ress joined Ben Watkins for a trumpet trio that also garnered a one rating.

Other students receiving commendable marks from judges at the solo and ensemble vocal and instrumental contests included:

Samantha Knapp, seventh-grade soprano, two; Taylor Leggett, seventh-grade soprano, one; Gertie Miller, seventh-grade mezzo-soprano, one; Kristen Blankenship, eighth-grade soprano, one.

Girls Ensemble members earning a one included Samantha Palania, Kristen Blankenship, Taylor Leggett, Samantha Kropp, Brianna Doolittle, Gertie Miller, Jenni Conley and Jordan Mayer.

Boys Ensemble, earning a two, included Rich King, Josh Richards, Gage Schlagel, Manny Todd, Zak Miracle and Scott Strebler.

The Mixed Ensemble, earning a two, was composed of members Kristen Blankenship, Samantha Kropp, Samantha Palania, Taylor Leggett, Brittany Martin, Gertie Miller, Jenni Conley, Jordan Mayer, Brianna Doolittle, Josh Richards, Gage Shlagel, Manny Todd, Zak Miracle and Scott Strebler.

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The Rootstown Elementary Parent Teacher Association's annual Safety Town will be held June 9 through 13 from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

Registration is $20 for incoming kindergarteners and includes a T-shirt as well as instruction on fire safety and traffic safety from members of the Rootstown Fire Company and the Portage County Sheriff's Department.

Questions may be directed to Andrea Steinlechner at (330) 325-0425.

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E-mail: golffam2@neo.rr.com

Phone: (330) 325-1257